Z IS FOR ZACHARIAH

Occasionally, a book is better in print than on tape, no matter how expert the reader. Moore's youthful, androgynous voice is perfect for the teenaged diarist in O'Brien's remarkable Doomsday novel. But the book, grimly fascinating on the page, reveals distracting weaknesses read aloud. Its formal prose (using no contractions) becomes awkward and stilted. And an important element--the narrator's gender is not revealed at first--is spoiled, not by the performance, but by the packaging; Christina Moore's name, and the cover illustration, give away the secret. Still, Moore's well-crafted performance and O'Brien's moving, suspenseful story go far to make up for these flaws. This is good for car trips--the plot will enthrall adults, as well as teens. S.P. © AudioFile, Portland, Maine [Published: FEB/MAR 00]